Dish drying and sterilizing arrangement

ABSTRACT

An improved drying and sterilizing arrangement is provided that is particularly adapted for drying dishes, silverware, pots and pans, et cetera. As disclosed, there is an open bottomed hood member having sidewalls, end walls and a top, and this hood member may be positionable over a dishrack in which the material to be dried and sterilized is contained. The hood member is provided with a source of electromagnetic radiation that emits electromagnetic radiation in the wave length bandwidths in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum as well as the visible and infrared portions. Means for moving air from regions external the hod through the walls defining the hood and over the material to be dried and thence exhausted to regions external the hood are also provided and which means may comprise a motor driven air fan. The electromagnetic radiation emitting member may be an ultraviolet bulb emitting electromagnetic radiation in the above-described three wave length bandwidths of the electromagnetic spectrum and, consequently, the energy associated with such emission is utilized to both dry and sterilize the material to be dried.

United States Patent I 72] Inventor Beverly Paul 971 S. Elden, Apt. 28, Los Angeles, Calif. 90006 [21 Appl. No. 855,234

[22] Filed Sept. 4, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 23, 1971 [54] DISH DRYING AND STERILIZING Primary Examiner-Charles Sukalo Attorney-Finkelstein and Mueth ABSTRACT: An improved drying and sterilizing arrangement is provided that is particularly adapted for drying dishes, silverware, pots and pans, et cetera. As disclosed, there is an open bottomed hood member having sidewalls, end walls and a top, and this hood member may be positionable over a dishrack in which the material to be dried and sterilized is contained. The hood member is provided with a source of electromagnetic radiation that emits electromagnetic radiation in the wave length bandwidths in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum as well as the visible and infrared portions. Means for moving air from regions external the hod through the walls defining the hood and over the material to be dried and thence exhausted to regions external the hood are also provided and which means may comprise a motor driven air fan. The electromagnetic radiation emitting member may be an ultraviolet bulb emitting electromagnetic radiation in the above-described three wave length bandwidths of the electromagnetic spectrumand, consequently, the energy associated with such emission is utilized to both dry and sterilize the material to be dried.

- 90 \\7 120 iguo I06 '56" 54 v 3 L|5O \IZJ V; ilg \l5, 114 26 ,s '2 1 1047 R j I24 n s s n w i i $LAAA$$Q 0: 1005 k \b5 V184 DISH DRYHNG AND STERHMZING ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to the sterilization and drying art and, more particularly, to an improved arrangement for drying and sterilizing dishes, silverware, pots, pans, utensils and the like.

REFERENCE TO PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS This invention is an improvement on my copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 738,436, filed Jun. 20, 1968 and now Pat. No. 3,513,567 granted May 26, 1970 by me and entitled DRYING ARRANGEMENT.

2. Description of the Prior Art In many industrial, restaurant, commercial and home applications it has often proven advantageous not only to dry dishes, plates, bowls, silverware, pots, pans, utensils the like, all of which materials may collectively hereinafter be referred to as materials to be dried, after they have been utilized and washed, but also to sterilize such materials. This, of course, is a virtual necessity in hospitals, convalescent homes, and the like, or in private homes where there is illness or sickness of one or more members thereof, and it is also desirable in the other above-mentioned applications.

While in many commercial and industrial establishments such as restaurants and big hospitals there is often provided complete washing, drying and sterilizing operations for handling a large volume of material to be dried and often, on a continuous rather than a batch basis, it has been found by applicant that in many hospitals there is also a necessity for providing the desirable drying and sterilizing operations on a small volume basis in special circumstances.

Such circumstances, of course, may be those associated with the care afforded to a person having a highly contagious disease where it is often desirable to maintain all of their dishes and utensils within the room to prevent contamination elsewhere, for people having particular dietary customs and habits, or the like.

Additionally, of course, as a health and safety measure such sterilization combined with the drying is desirable at all times even in the absence of sickness and whether in a small or large commercial establishment.

in home applications, there have often been utilized in the past an automatic dishwasher that incorporates both the dishwashing and drying function and operates on essentially a batch basis through a predetermined cycle. While such common home dishwashers may be conveniently installed when a house is being built, often there are many homes and apartments of an older vintage or so constructed that installation either on a permanent or portable basis of such available dishwashers cannot be economically made. Similarly, such dishwashers have generally not been able to provide a sterilization of the material to be dried therein.

As disclosed in my prior copending patent application referred to above, since the washing cycle or washing time when done manually is comparatively short compared to the drying time, particularly where the drying must be done manually, it has long been desirable to provide a comparatively small, portable, easily handled unit that, after the dishes had been washed and stored in an appropriate dishrack for draining, by manual means, a unit may be placed over the dishrack to provide increased evaporation of the water retained on the material to be dried in order to dry the material in a comparatively short time. However, in addition to this rapid drying function described in my copending patent application it is often also desirable to provide the sterilizing of the material to be dried during the drying operation.

Thus, even though some residences and/or industrial or commercial establishments may be provided with automatic dishwashers that incorporate both the washing and/or dying and/or sterilizing cycle, there are many instances when in such establishments as well as in home applications that a comparatively small amount of material is desired to be washed, dried and sterilized. It is often uneconomical and/or too time consuming to send a comparatively small amount of material through the complete cycle of an automatic dishwasher whether this be in home applications or industrial applicn tions. In such instances, then, it is desirable to provide the above-mentioned drying and sterilizing arrangement whereby such small amounts and/or special amounts of materials to be dried may be rapidly dried and sterilized after being washed.

Thus, there has long been a need for a comparatively portuble dish drying and sterilizing unit that requires only connection to a source of electrical energy for providing a comparatively rapid drying and sterilization of material to be dried.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of applicant's invention herein to provide an improved drying and sterilizing arrangement.

It is another object of applicant's invention herein to provide a drying arrangement for the drying of materials such as dishes, pots, pans, utensils, silverware and the like and, during such drying, to provide sterilization thereof.

It is yet another object of applicant's invention herein to provide a portable drying and sterilizing arrangement in which rapid drying and sterilization of the material to be dried and sterilized is achieved.

The above and other objects of applicant's invention are achieved, in one embodiment of applicant's invention, by providing a hood member having substantially parallel, oppositely disposed pair of sidewalls and pair or end walls, and a top interconnecting the pair of sidewalls and the pair of end walls. The top, sidewalls and end walls define a drying and sterilization volume therein. At least one of the sidewalls, end walls and top is provided with an air inlet means and at least one other of the sidewalls, end walls and top is provided with an air outlet means.

Electromagnetic radiation emitting member, which in my above-mentioned copending patent application could be an electrical resistance heater, is replaced in the present invention by an ultraviolet radiation emitting bulb. Such bulbs as are presently available from commercial sources do not emit electromagnetic radiation confined solely to the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum but also emit electromagnetic radiation energy in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum.

The electromagnetic radiation emitting member is positioned adjacent to the air inlet means and an electrically powered motor driven air fan means is also coupled adjacent to the air inlet means. The fan means draws air from regions external the hood member to the air inlet means and moves the aid over the electromagnetic radiation emitting means and into the drying and sterilization volume. The electromagnetic radiation emitting means, which may also comprise a reflector, is positioned to irradiate the material to be dried and thus the material to be dried receives the electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum sterilizes the material to be dried. The electromagnetic radiation in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum impinge on the material to be dried to aid in drying same by direct radiant heat transfer. Additionally, the air being drawn over the electromagnetic radiation emitting means is heated and forced convection drying of the material to be dried is also provided. Thus, the heated air is directed to flow through the drying volume over the material to be dried and out the air outlet means.

The hood member may be positioned over, for example, a conventional dishrack in which material such as plates, pots, pans, utensils, silverware, et cetera, hereinafter generally referred to as the material to be dried, is positioned. The direct radiation tends to sterilize as well as dry the material to be dried and the forced convection of the heated air provided by the fan means provides rapid drying of the material.

In other embodiments of applicants invention, the electromagnetic radiation emitting means and the fan means, as well as the appropriate controls, are all coupled to a shell means which is, in turn, coupled to the hood means adjacent to the air inlet means. This modular construction allows convenient removal of all electrical apparatus in applicant's improved drying arrangement for convenient servicing and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects may be more fully understood when the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

FIG. I illustrates one embodiment of applicants invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of applicants invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electrical circuit useful in the practice of applicant's invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of applicants invention generally designated 10. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a hood member 12 having a pair of substantially parallel, oppositely disposed end walls 14 and I6 and a pair substantially parallel, oppositely disposed sidewalls l8 and and top means 22 coupled to the end walls 14 and 16 and sidewalls l8 and 20 to define a drying and sterilizing volume 24. Each of the end walls 14 and I6, sidewalls l8 and 20, and top 22 have exterior surfaces I4, l6, 18, 20' and 22', respectively, and interior surfaces 14', l6", 18', 20" and 22", respectively. It will be appreciated that the interior surfaces 14'', I6", 18", 20" and 22" define the drying and sterilizing volume 24.

The hood member 12 is positionable over, for example, a dishrack 26 which may be loaded with material 28, such as dishes, plates, bowls, pots, pans, utensils, silverware and the like to be dried. In this embodiment of applicants invention, the hood member 12 fits completely around and over the dishrack 26 and material 28 contained therein so that the material 28 and dishrack 26 are positioned within the drying volume 24.

Each of the end walls 14 and 16 and sidewalls 18 and 20 have bottom edge portions 30, and a first section 32 of these bottom edge portions define leg means 33 upon which the hood l2 rests when supported over the dishrack 26.

Second sections 34 of the bottom edge portions 30 comprise cutaway members defining air outlet means 35 through which air from drying volume 24 may leave the drying volume 24 to regions external the hood member 12, as indicated by the arrows 36.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the top 22 may, if desired, be provided with a protective screen means 39 adjacent an air inlet means 38 which, in this embodiment of applicants invention may comprise louvers 40 adapted to direct the flow of air indicated by the arrows 42 into the drying volume 24 in preselected directions to pass over the material 28 contained therein. The louvers 40 may be either fixed, as shown in FIG. 2, or moveable so that the predetermined direction for the flow of the air, as indicated by the arrows 42, may be changed as desired.

A shell means 44 having shell walls 46 defining a cavity 48 therein is coupled to the external surface 22 of the top 22 adjacent the air inlet means 38. In this embodiment of applicants invention, the shell means 44 is shown as a rectangular prism. It will be appreciated, however, that any desired geometric form may be provided for the shell means 44.

In my copending patent application, Ser. No. 738,436, filed Ian. 20, 1968, there was provided an electrically energized electrical heater means coupled to the shell walls 46 and shell means 44 in the cavity 48. In that patent application, the heat means was, for example, an electrical resistance heater or the like. However, in my present invention l have provided a specific source of electromagnetic radiation 50 comprising a type of heater and sterilizer means 50 that is coupled to the shell walls 46 and shell means 44in the cavity 48. The special type of heater and electromagnetic radiation emitting means 50 is one that emits electromagnetic radiation in at least the ultraviolet visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. The ultraviolet'radiation is utilized for sterilization of the material to be dried contained within the sterilizing and drying volume 24 and the more efficient heat producing wave lengths associated with the visible and more particularly the infrared portions electromagnetic radiation are utilized to provide heat for more rapid drying of he material to be dried contained within the drying and sterilizing volume 24.

In this invention, applicant prefers to provide an electrically energized source of electromagnetic radiation 50 positioned within the shell means 46. The source of electromagnetic radiation 50 (as well as the source of electromagnetic radiation utilized in the other embodiments of applicant's invention described below) emits such electromagnetic radiation to irradiate the material to be dried 28.

It is, of course, well known that ultraviolet energy is bactericidal and it has been found that the effectiveness of such ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation energy is dependent upon the intensity thereof and the time to which the material to be sterilized is subjected to such ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. Further, many studies have indicated that the sterilizing effect increases rapidly from a relative value of about 5 percent at 3.0 microns to a peak of I00 percent relative effectiveness at a wave length of approximately 2.6 microns.

In general, these germicidal lamps, as the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 are generally described, are very similar to fluorescent lamps except that they contain no phosphor and have, usually, a special glass envelope that transmits the ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation energy that is generated by the mercury are contained within. Therefore, the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 is essentially a low pressure mercury arc lamp designed to emit as much electromagnetic radiation energy as possible at the predominant wave length characteristic of mercury occurring at 2.537 microns. When using such a lamp as the source of electromagnetic radiation 50, it has been found that approximately 50 percent of the input energy is at or close to the 2.537 micron wavelength and, therefore, is very near the peak of the effectiveness As a bactericidal lamp, approximately 2 percent of the input energy is transmitted as visible electromagnetic radiation and approximately 48 percent is variously transformed into heat stemming from the radiation emission from the lamp as well as power loses.

Many companies make many styles of such lamps. For example, General Electric Company, Nela Park, Cleveland, Ohio, makes a line of germicidal lamps designated as G8T5, G15T8, G36T6, G30T8, or G64T6.

Thus, the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 emits the electromagnetic radiation which impinges upon the material 28 to be dried. The wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet portion, particularly those centered around 2.6 microns, act most effectively as a germicidal agent to kill germs on the material 28 and effectively sterilize them while the electromagnetic radiation in the visible and, particularly, the infrared portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum tends to aid in the evaporation of the water from the material 28 to provide rapid drying. Additionally, as noted below, heat transfer to the air surrounding the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 provides a heated air flow for forced convective drying of the material 28 to be dried.

In the utilization of the source of electromagnetic radiation 50, the design of applicant's invention is such that the maximum amount of area of the material 28 to be dried as can be exposed to the direct radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 should be provided. if desired, a reflector means 51 may be provided inside the shell means 46 for the conventional purpose of directing electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 into predetermined paths. Thus, the screen 39 may be omitted in order to prevent blocking any radiation.

An electric motor 52 is also coupled to the shell walls 46 of the shell 44 for support within the cavity 48 and the electrical motor 52 drives an air fan 56 that is adapted to draw air through vent means 58 in the shell walls 46 of the shell 44, as indicated by the arrows 60, over the source of electromagnetic radiation means 50 and reflector 51, through the screen 39, if provided, and air inlet means 38 and into the drying volume 24. The vent means 58 may, if desired, also be provided with louvers 62 that, as shown on FIG. 2, are pivotally mounted on the shell walls 46 for rotation by louver control knob 64 to vary both the quantity of air that may be drawn into the cavity 48 as well as the direction thereof.

A control box 66 is also coupled to the shell walls 46 of the shell 44 in the cavity 48 and, as described below, the control box 66 contains the appropriate controls for operation of the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 and the electric motor 52 operating the air fan 56.

in operation, the hood member 12 is positioned over the dishrack 26 containing the material 28 to be dried and, by operation of the appropriate controls 68, as described below in greater detail, the temperature of the air as indicated by the arrow 46 that passes through the cavity 48, over the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 and into the drying volume 24 is increased by contact with the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 and reflector 51, to achieve the forced convection to dry the material 28 as desired. Additionally, a mode of heat transfer for drying the material 28 by direct radiative heat transfer by radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation 58 is also provided. Since the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 has a substantial portion of its output concentrated in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum, the material 28, in addition to being dried, is effectively sterilized at the same time by such direct radiation impinging thereon.

Thus, it is apparent that in applicants invention the material 28 to be dried and sterilized is dried in a comparatively short time since the air, as indicated by the arrows 42, entering the drying volume 24 passes over the material 28 in forced convection, rather than free convection, and is also subjected to radiant heat transfer. The forced convection, of course, drastically increases the rate of evaporation of water from the material 28 which, when coupled with the radiant energy heating by the electromagnetic radiation emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 provides a comparatively rapid drying cycle. Since some of the radiant energy emitted by the source of electromagnetic radiation 50 is in the ultraviolet bandwidths, sterilization of the material to be dried 28 also occurs.

For convenience, one or more handle means 70 may be provided on the hood member 12 to allow convenient lifting and placing thereof.

it will be appreciated that the louver 62 in the air vent 58 and/or the louvers 40 in the air inlet 38 may be either fixed or moveable or may be precontoured into a predesired shape for direction of the airflow. Further, variations of the size of the opening for airflow into the cavity 48, as indicated by the arrows 68, or into the drying volume 2.4, as indicated by the arrows 62, may be provided, for example, by moveable louvers to increase or decrease the airflow as desired.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another embodiment of applicants invention generally designated 80. As shown thereon, the embodiment of applicants invention designated 80 comprises a hood member 82 that, if desired, may be similar to the hood member 12 described above and is comprised of parallel, oppositely disposed end walls and 86 having exterior surfaces 84 and 86', respectively, and interior surfaces 84" and 86", respectively, a pair of substantially parallel, oppositely disposed sidewalls of which, in FIG. 3, only sidewall 88 is shown, which has an interior surface 88 and an exterior surface 88 (not shown), and a top 90 having an interior surface 90" and an exterior surface 90. A handle 92, in this embodiment of applicant's invention, is coupled to the top 90 to allow convenient lifting and placing of the hood 82.

The interior surfaces 84" and 86" of the end walls 84 and 86, 88" of sidewalls such as 88 and 90 of top 90, define a drying volume 94 therebetween. The hood 82 is positionable over a dishrack 96 containing material to be dried 98 and the end walls 84 and 86 and sidewalls such as sidewall 88 have bottom edge portions 98. A first section 100 of the bottom edge portion 98 is adapted to define leg members 101 for sup' porting the hood member 82 in position over the dishrack 96, and second sections 102 defining air outlet passages 103 for the outlet of air from the drying volume 94 as indicated by the arrows 104.

in this embodiment of applicant's invention, a shell member 106 having shell walls 108 is coupled to the interior surface 86'' of the end wall 84 so as to project within the drying volume 94 and leave the exterior surface 84' of the end wall 84 substantially planar. Air inlet 110 is in the sidewall 84 adjacent to the shell means 106 and, if desired, may be comprised of louvers 112 which, if desired, may be fixed or may be moveable as described above for the louvers 40 in the air inlet 38 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A protective screen 115 may, if desired, also be provided.

A source of electromagnetic radiation 114 is positioned within the cavity 116 defined by the shell walls 108, as is a motor 118 and air fan 120 and, if desired, a reflector means 117. It will be appreciated that the source of electromagnetic radiation 114, reflector 115, electrical motor 118 and air fan 120 may be similar to the source of electromagnetic radiation 50, reflector 51, electrical motor 52 and air fan 56 described above. Similarly, a control box 122, together with control knob 124, which may be similar to the control box 66 and control knob 68 described above, are provided coupled to the shell wall 108.

in addition to the air outlets )3 in this embodiment of ap plicants invention, there may also be provided, if desired, an additional air outlet B26 in the opposite end wall 86 to allow the exit of air from the dry volume 96 therethrough as indicated by the arrows we.

Operation of this embodiment of applicant's invention is similar to the operation of the embodiment of applicant's invention, as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. After the hood 82 has been positioned over the dishrack 96, the source of electromagnetic radiation 1M may be energized and the air fan E20 turned on to draw air as indicated by the arrows through the vent 132 in the shell 106, over the source of electromagnetic radiation 112, reflector 115, through the air inlet H2 as indicated by the arrows 134 into the drying volume 94, over the material to be dried 98 and out the air outlet 102 and, if provided, 126. Thus there is forced convection of the heated air over the material to be dried 98 as well as radiant energy transfer by energy emitted from the source of electromagnetic radiation 114. The ultraviolet radiation sterilizes the material to be dried 98.

Thus, the present invention provides both the drying function as defined in my copending patent application referred to above, and also the simultaneous sterilization of the material to be dried. I

in the above embodiment of applicant's invention, applicant has described her invention as utilized in a hood arrangement that could be positioned over any desired dishrack, or other hoider arrangement for supporting the material to be dried.

it will be appreciated that applicant may also practice her invention in a self-contained arrangement in which preselected dishrack is incorporated. F16. 4 illustrates one such embodiment of applicant's invention generally designated 150. As shown on FIG. 4;, there is provided a hood member 152 and a preselected dishrack 154. The hood member 152 may be similar to the hood member 82 or hood member 12 described above as provided with a pair of substantially parallel oppositely disposed end walls 156 and 158 having exterior surfaces 156 and 158', respectively and interior surfaces 156" and 158", respectively. The hood member 152 is also provided with a pair of oppositely disposed sidewall members of which only sidewall member 160 is shown, and the sidewall 160 has an interior surface 160" and an exterior surface 1611' (not shown). A top 162 having an exterior surface 162 and an interior surface 162" is coupled to the sidewalls such as 106 and end walls 156 and 158 to define a drying volume 164 therebetween.

in this embodiment of applicants invention, the preselected dishrack member 154 has a peripheral rim portion 166 in which the bottom edge portions 168 of the sidewalls such as 160 and end walls 156 and 158 of the hood member 152 are supported.

A shell member 170 is provided with shell walls 172 coupled to the exterior surface 156' of the end wall 156 adjacent to the air inlet 174 therein and, if desired, a protective screen 175. The air inlet 174 in this embodiment of applicant's invention may be provided with performed shaped louvers 176 which, as desired, may be either fixed as shown in FIG. 4 or moveable to direct the air flowing therethrough as indicated by the arrow 178 in preselected directions towards the dishrack 154 to pass over the material to be dried 180.

Vent means 182 are provided in the shell walls 172 of the shell means 170 to allow the flow of air as indicated by the arrow 184 therethrough into the volume 186 defined by the shell walls 172. A source of electromagnetic radiation 188, reflector 183, and an electrical motor means 190 driving an air fan 192 are coupled in the cavity 186 in the manner similar to that described above and may be similar to the corresponding elements described above. Operation thereof through the control box 194 and control knobs 196 may be similar to that described above. The air vent 182 may be provided with lou vers 198 which, as desired, may be either fixed or moveable to increase or decrease the amount of air flowing therein as indicated by the arrow 184.

in this embodiment of applicant's invention, air outlet means as indicated by the air passages 200 in the end wall 158 are provided to allow the exit of air from the drying volume 160, as indicated by the arrows 202.

it will be appreciated that many of the features and variations of the embodiment described above may be incorporated with different features than the particular structure indicated. That is, for example, the position of the shell means 106 in the drying volume 94, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, could equally well be utilized, for example, in the embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 by positioning shell means 44 thereof on the interior surface of the top 22. Similarly, the shell means for supporting the electrical units utilized in the operation of applicant's invention provides a unique modular construction that allows removal of the entire electrical controls and operating mechanism for service as desired or replacement. However, it will be appreciated that such modular construction need not be provided, but the heater, fan and control may be separately coupled to any desired structure including the structure of the hood member itself.

For convenience, applicant has shown in the various embodiments of her invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shell members connected to an end wall. Such shell members and the air inlet to the drying volume could, as desired, be positioned in a sidewall or the top.

FIG. is a block diagram of an electrical circuit useful in the practice of applicants invention. It will be appreciated that any desired degree of complexity of the electrical circuit may be incorporated. Thus, the circuitry as shown includes a source of electromagnetic radiation 210, an electric motor 212 driving an air fan 214. In relatively uncomplex versions of applicants invention, there may also be included only an onoff switch 216 between the source of electrical energy 218 and the source of electromagnetic radiation 210 and motor 212. A separate on-off switch 220 for the source of electromagnetic radiation 210 may be provided so that independent operation of the source of electromagnetic radiation 210 and the fan 214 may be provided. Similarly, a fan motor on-off switch 222 may be provided so that the fan 214 may be operated without operating the source of electromagnetic radiation 210 and, conversely, the source of electromagnetic radiation 210 may be operated without operating the fan 214. For automatic control, applicant prefers that a timer 224 be provided so that fully automatic operation after turning the main switch 214 on may be accomplished.

The circuitry indicated by the block diagram shown on F IG. 5 may be incorporated in any of the embodiments in applicants invention herein and, it will be appreciated, the various controls such as the on-ofi" switch 220, fan motor on-off switch 222, main on-off switch 216 and timer 224 comprise the controls 226 generally for operation of applicant's invention and each will be provided with the appropriate control knobs for selective operation thereof.

This concludes the description of applicant's invention of an improved dryer arrangement. From the above, it can be seen that applicant has provided a combined drying and sterilizing arrangement particularly adapted to the drying and sterilizing of prewashed dishes, plates, pots, pans, utensils and the like that, by utilizing forced convection of heated air and radiant energy heat transfer, increases the rate of evaporation of the water therefrom to provide fast drying thereof and sterilization by ultraviolet radiation. Those skilled in the art may find many variations and adaptations of applicant's invention.

lclaim:

l. A dish drying and sterilizing arrangement comprising, in combination:

a hood member having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed end walls coupled to said sidewalls, and a top coupled to said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls, and each of said top, said sidewalls and said end walls having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and said interior surfaces thereof defining a drying volume therebetween, and said hood member positionable over a dishrack holding material to be dried;

air inlet means in at least one of said pair of sidewalls, said pair of end walls and said top, and air outlet means in at least one other of said pair of sidewalls, said pair of end walls and said top;

a source of electromagnetic radiation positioned adjacent said air inlet means, and said source of electromagnetic radiation emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in preselected bandwidths of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum in preselected paths, at least one of said preselected bandwidths comprising the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum and said ultraviolet wavelengths electromagnetic radiation having at least some energy at approximately 2.6 microns, and said source of electromagnetic radiation positioned to irradiate said material to be dried;

electrical motor driven air fan means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for drawing air over said source of electromagnetic radiation to allow heat transfer from said source of electromagnetic radiation to the air passing thereover and said air fan moving the air into the drying volume to dry said material to be dried in said dishrack;

means for energizing said source of electromagnetic radiation and said electrical motor driven air fan means;

a shell means having shell walls defining a cavity therein, and vent means in said shell walls for allowing flow of air into said cavity, and said shell means coupled to said hood member adjacent said air inlet means and said source of electromagnetic radiation and said fan means coupled to said shell walls for support adjacent said air inlet means;

. air outlet means.

3. The arrangement defined in claim 2 and further comprising: reflector means coupled to said shell means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for directing said electromagnetic radiation emitted therefrom in preselected directions.

4. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said air inlet means is in said top and said shell means is coupled to said exterior surface of said top.

5. The arrangement defined in claim I wherein: said air inlet means is in said top and said shell means is coupled to said interior surface of said top.

6. The arrangement defined in claim 5 and further comprising: a reflector means coupled to said shell means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for directing said electromagnetic radiation emitted from said source of electromagnetic radiation in preselected directions.

7. The arrangement defined in claim I wherein:

said air inlet means is in a first of said pair of end walls of said hood member; and

said shell means is coupled to said outside surface of said first of said pair of end walls.

8. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: y

first switch means for controlling flow of electrical energy from said control means to said source of electromagnetic radiation;

second switch means for controlling flow of electrical energy from said control means for energizing said motor means for controlling the flow of electrical energy to said air fan means; and

timer means for controlling the cycle of operation of at least one of said sources of electromagnetic radiation means and air fan means.

9. The arrangement defined inclaim I wherein:

said dishrack has walls defining a peripheral rim therearoundi said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls have bottom edge portions for engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said dishrack for positioning said hood means over said dishrack 

1. A dish drying and sterilizing arrangement comprising, in combination: a hood member having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls, a pair of oppositely disposed end walls coupled to said sidewalls, and a top coupled to said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls, and each of said top, said sidewalls and said end walls having an exterior surface and an interior surface, and said interior surfaces thereof defining a drying volume therebetween, and said hood member positionable over a dishrack holding material to be dried; air inlet means in at least one of said pair of sidewalls, said pair of end walls and said top, and air outlet means in at least one other of said pair of sidewalls, said pair of end walls and said top; a source of electromagnetic radiation positioned adjacent said air inlet means, and said source of electromagnetic radiation emitting electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths in preselected bandwidths of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum in preselected paths, at least one of said preselected bandwidths comprising the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum and said ultraviolet wavelengths electromagnetic radiation having at least some energy at approximately 2.6 microns, and said source of electromagnetic radiation positioned to irradiate said material to be dried; electrical motor driven air fan means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for drawing air over said source of electromagnetic radiation to allow heat transfer from said source of electromagnetic radiation to the air passing thereover and said air fan moving the air into the drying volume to dry said material to be dried in said dishrack; means for energizing said source of electromagnetic radiation and said electrical motor driven air fan means; a shell means having shell walls defining a cavity therein, and vent means in said shell walls for allowing flow of air into said cavity, and said shell means coupled to said hood member adjacent said air inlet means and said source of electromagnetic radiation and said fan means coupled to said shell walls for support adjacent said air inlet means; at least one of said air inlet means and said vent means further comprising louver means for directing airflow therethrough in predetermined directions; and, control means for controlling operation of said source of electromagnetic radiation and said electrical motor driven air fan means.
 2. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls each having bottom edge portions, and a first section of said bottom edge portion defining legs for supporting said hood member over said dishrack, and second sections of said bottom edge portion defining said air outlet means.
 3. The arrangement defined in claim 2 and further comprising: reflector means coupled to said shell means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for directing said electromagnetic radiation emitted therefrom in preselected directions.
 4. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said air inleT means is in said top and said shell means is coupled to said exterior surface of said top.
 5. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said air inlet means is in said top and said shell means is coupled to said interior surface of said top.
 6. The arrangement defined in claim 5 and further comprising: a reflector means coupled to said shell means adjacent said source of electromagnetic radiation for directing said electromagnetic radiation emitted from said source of electromagnetic radiation in preselected directions.
 7. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said air inlet means is in a first of said pair of end walls of said hood member; and said shell means is coupled to said outside surface of said first of said pair of end walls.
 8. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises: first switch means for controlling flow of electrical energy from said control means to said source of electromagnetic radiation; second switch means for controlling flow of electrical energy from said control means for energizing said motor means for controlling the flow of electrical energy to said air fan means; and timer means for controlling the cycle of operation of at least one of said sources of electromagnetic radiation means and air fan means.
 9. The arrangement defined in claim 1 wherein: said dishrack has walls defining a peripheral rim therearound; said pair of sidewalls and said pair of end walls have bottom edge portions for engagement with said peripheral rim portion of said dishrack for positioning said hood means over said dishrack. 